KQED's Forum: Shark Finning Legislation

Shark fins sit on the floor of a Hong Kong warehouse, waiting to be sorted out and exported. Photo: Anne Cecile Guthmann

A new bill introduced by state Assembly members Paul Fong and Jared Huffman sinks its teeth into the sale and distribution of shark fins in California. Environmentalists say AB376 would help stop the torture and slaughter of endangered shark species. But state Senator Leland Yee and some members of the Chinese business community contend that sweeping legislation is too broad of an approach. They also see the law as an attack on Asian culture.

Host: Michael Krasny

Guests:

Adam Keigwin, chief of staff for state Senator Leland Yee

John McCosker, senior scientist and chair of the Department of Aquatic Biology at the California Academy of Sciences